Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

These planes may have once ruled the skies, but just because they no longer fly above the clouds doesn’t mean they should sit and rot.  They were made to serve and that’s what guests can expect whether they are seated at a restaurant or looking for a unique vacation experience.  So there’s no need to look to the skies for an elevated experience because the following airplanes are quite thrilled to exceed expectations while on land.

Colorado Springs: Airplane Restaurant

When this airplane was built in 1953 it had no idea it would service passengers in the skies as well as their stomachs.  That was until the aircraft was converted into the crowning attraction of the Airplane Restaurant, allowing up to 42 passengers to enjoy a great meal from within the Boeing KC-97. 

Decorated with memorabilia to celebrate its profound role in aviation, the Airplane Restaurant is one eatery that offers an elevated experience without ever leaving the ground.

Netherlands: Airplane Suite

That feeling of being cramped in an airplane is a thing of the past in this Ilyushin 18, especially because couples have more than enough legroom to unwind in the luxurious aircraft. 

Once serving important political figures before joining the mass of commercial airplanes in 1964, it continues a duty of service as a hotel that includes Jacuzzi and an entertainment system.  However, the Airplane Suite stays true to its aviation roots by leaving its cockpit intact, which gives the illusion of soaring amid the clouds.

Florida: Cosmic Muffin

You won’t find this Boeing 307 Stratoliner taking off in the air anytime soon, but rather chasing the waves since its transformation into a boat.  However, the Cosmic Muffin made its claim to fame long before it ever became a planeboat. In the 1930s it made headlines as one the few models of its kind to draw attention to many, including Trans World Airlines as well as Howard Hughes. 

Now with its wings completely removed, the Cosmic Muffin continues to fulfill a life as a mode of transportation by interestingly floating on water.

New Zealand: Cookie Time DC3 Café

If you’re looking for a unique place to enjoy a tasty New Zealand treat then visit the Cookie Time DC3 Café.  After all, not only did this Douglas DC- 3 once dominate the skies during its heyday in the 1930s, its flights also made a profound impact during the Second World War. 

Now as it rest peacefully in the city of Mangaweka and dressed in an eye-popping coat that is designed to attract anyone passing by, passengers are stilled captivated by the Douglas DC-3 because the cookies served here are to die for.